In a recent report done by the Wall Street Journal, there is a growing sentiment among the NFL coaches and executives that the once deep pool of quality quarterbacks is drying up. The reason? Many of those in college aren’t being taught lessons they will have to learn in the pros.

This year, according to separate interviews with dozens of NFL coaches and executives, something disturbing happened in these pre-draft quiz sessions. When asked the same basic questions, many quarterback prospects responded with something NFL insiders said they have never seen before: blank stares.

Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said the new crop of college quarterbacks were flummoxed by a simple question about an “under” front, one of the most common defensive alignments. “Whoa, no one’s ever told me ‘front’ before,” he remembers one prospect saying. “No one’s ever talked to me about reading these defenses.”

This is leading to a general fear that there will be a significant drop off sooner than later in quality quarterback play, which can spell big trouble for the league. It means something may have to change. Either college programs must try to incorporate more pro-style offenses rather than the rampant spread attacks so many use. A true reassessment must be made about the possibility of a minor league where players can be better prepped for the pro game.

Or the time has come for the NFL to embrace new idea. As in the men who field them, specifically the coaches.

In some ways the process has already begun with the arrival of Chip Kelly to the Philadelphia Eagles. His fast-paced attacks were legendary at Oregon and the scheme is still creating huge outbursts of yards and points even as the personnel keep changing. With him setting the trend, could the door be open for other innovators like him?